news
feminism and you
uil competition
By Joseph Moya
Critically analyzing every word she writes, tuning out noises and other distractions, and focusing on the passage in front of her senior Sayde Mendivil practices competing in UIL Headline writing during lunch in room W103.
“I was actually really kind of terrified and unsure at first. Ms.Avila the Journalism teacher is really the one that pushed me to it. She kept telling me to just practice and that I’ll do well if I just keep practicing,” Mendivil said. “I am kind of warming up to it now it seems like a really good opportunity and I hope I do well. I always try to do everything I can and take every opportunity that comes my way.”
Mendivil is not the only student to compete in a UIL competition, senior Sam McCay is preparing to participate in UIL Literary Criticism.
“I enjoy [competing] more than going to school and attending class. It also looks really good on college applications, plus the experience is really fun and you get to meet other people by doing this,” McCay said.
With total commitment in mind to their particular competitions both Mendivil and McCay have found unique and helpful ways to practice for their Competition.
“I’ve been practicing with some sample stories that Ms.Avila gave me that are kind of like the real thing. I’ve also been trying to pay attention to like songs and popular phrases that could be used for a punny headline,” Mendivil said.
But some competitions don’t require conventional preparations according to senior Brittany Parker.
“I have a lot of work and characterization this time to make an effort in this character. I’m putting in a lot of hours after school and tons of rehearsal,” said Parker
Parker keeps herself motivated even while under stress
“I’ve been doing theatre now for two years and I’ve always enjoyed doing shows,” Parker said “Just the idea of putting on a show sounds like great fun.”
Critically analyzing every word she writes, tuning out noises and other distractions, and focusing on the passage in front of her senior Sayde Mendivil practices competing in UIL Headline writing during lunch in room W103.
“I was actually really kind of terrified and unsure at first. Ms.Avila the Journalism teacher is really the one that pushed me to it. She kept telling me to just practice and that I’ll do well if I just keep practicing,” Mendivil said. “I am kind of warming up to it now it seems like a really good opportunity and I hope I do well. I always try to do everything I can and take every opportunity that comes my way.”
Mendivil is not the only student to compete in a UIL competition, senior Sam McCay is preparing to participate in UIL Literary Criticism.
“I enjoy [competing] more than going to school and attending class. It also looks really good on college applications, plus the experience is really fun and you get to meet other people by doing this,” McCay said.
With total commitment in mind to their particular competitions both Mendivil and McCay have found unique and helpful ways to practice for their Competition.
“I’ve been practicing with some sample stories that Ms.Avila gave me that are kind of like the real thing. I’ve also been trying to pay attention to like songs and popular phrases that could be used for a punny headline,” Mendivil said.
But some competitions don’t require conventional preparations according to senior Brittany Parker.
“I have a lot of work and characterization this time to make an effort in this character. I’m putting in a lot of hours after school and tons of rehearsal,” said Parker
Parker keeps herself motivated even while under stress
“I’ve been doing theatre now for two years and I’ve always enjoyed doing shows,” Parker said “Just the idea of putting on a show sounds like great fun.”
debate & nationals
music & art preview
By Haewan Ma & Anshuman Singhal
As the swoon worthy notes of a saxophone lingers through the air, the jazz bands rehearse for their upcoming competitions. Broken up into two sections, first and second jazz band, the jazz bands have been rehearsing extensively in preparation for upcoming competitions. Band directors Bruce Beach and Daniel Allen are excited to exhibit the truly American fruits of their labor, through jazz pieces such as new takes on old classics such as Gentle Rain and Freedom Jazz Dance, and a swing tune called Message from Westlake.
“Because the Jazz Band is a smaller group and it is more select, we have the opportunity to really showcase the top players in the Franklin Band Program,” Beach said. He adds, “Plus, this kind of music is just fun to play and fun to rehearse. Jazz is so important to the history of our culture; it is American after all.”
After exhibiting their musicality and talents at a concert held at school, both jazz bands played at the EPISD and Hanks Jazz festivals, where each respective band fared well. The jazz band is a condensed musical group in contrast to the fall’s vast marching band, allowing each respective jazz band to exhibit their top players and soloists. Soloists for the jazz bands include saxophonists Derek Bartlett and Jacob Acevedo, drummer Fabiola Estrada, bass player Cameron Lee-Lopez, and pianist Jonathan Picado.
“I always try to pick music that will fit the strengths of the band. Each selection that we are playing has something challenging for everyone,” band director Daniel Allen said.
The band also played Summertime alongside the orchestra and choir soloist junior Zonia Huerta. In addition, orchestra violinists senior Clarissa Meza, and sophomores Unice Yoo and Melissa Herrera were also featured as soloists. The orchestra received a first division ranking.
“It is so different [to sing with the band and orchestra]. We’re not used to all of the different instruments. We’re just used to having the pianist,” Huerta said. “When you’re in choir, everybody knows what you’re talking about. You have a specific jargon that you share with all of the other choir members and the choir director. As a soloist, not having my normal group behind me was very different but it was really amazing to perform with such a great accompaniment.
The jazz guitar group under the direction of Stefan Schyga ranked second division for the UIL competition on Feb. 25.
“My favorite piece was Spain. It was the last one we did. I had a lot of lead in that one. I was the lead guitarist in that one so it was pretty fun,” junior Caesar Concha said. “The songs that I was in, we’ve had three months prior. We hadn’t actually started rehearsals until a month before.”
Regardless of rankings and competitions, Huerta says jazz music creates opportunities for improvisation, musicality, and true showmanship.
“It’s the craziest feeling being on stage because it’s so in the moment. I don’t remember the feeling when I get off stage. I go on thinking that it’s going to be something when it turns out to be something completely different,” Huerta said. “My knees shake, my palms sweat, and I look at all the people who are staring at me and then what comes out just happens. I have no control of it whatsoever. It’s the biggest honor to be able to perform something that is so renowned.”
As the swoon worthy notes of a saxophone lingers through the air, the jazz bands rehearse for their upcoming competitions. Broken up into two sections, first and second jazz band, the jazz bands have been rehearsing extensively in preparation for upcoming competitions. Band directors Bruce Beach and Daniel Allen are excited to exhibit the truly American fruits of their labor, through jazz pieces such as new takes on old classics such as Gentle Rain and Freedom Jazz Dance, and a swing tune called Message from Westlake.
“Because the Jazz Band is a smaller group and it is more select, we have the opportunity to really showcase the top players in the Franklin Band Program,” Beach said. He adds, “Plus, this kind of music is just fun to play and fun to rehearse. Jazz is so important to the history of our culture; it is American after all.”
After exhibiting their musicality and talents at a concert held at school, both jazz bands played at the EPISD and Hanks Jazz festivals, where each respective band fared well. The jazz band is a condensed musical group in contrast to the fall’s vast marching band, allowing each respective jazz band to exhibit their top players and soloists. Soloists for the jazz bands include saxophonists Derek Bartlett and Jacob Acevedo, drummer Fabiola Estrada, bass player Cameron Lee-Lopez, and pianist Jonathan Picado.
“I always try to pick music that will fit the strengths of the band. Each selection that we are playing has something challenging for everyone,” band director Daniel Allen said.
The band also played Summertime alongside the orchestra and choir soloist junior Zonia Huerta. In addition, orchestra violinists senior Clarissa Meza, and sophomores Unice Yoo and Melissa Herrera were also featured as soloists. The orchestra received a first division ranking.
“It is so different [to sing with the band and orchestra]. We’re not used to all of the different instruments. We’re just used to having the pianist,” Huerta said. “When you’re in choir, everybody knows what you’re talking about. You have a specific jargon that you share with all of the other choir members and the choir director. As a soloist, not having my normal group behind me was very different but it was really amazing to perform with such a great accompaniment.
The jazz guitar group under the direction of Stefan Schyga ranked second division for the UIL competition on Feb. 25.
“My favorite piece was Spain. It was the last one we did. I had a lot of lead in that one. I was the lead guitarist in that one so it was pretty fun,” junior Caesar Concha said. “The songs that I was in, we’ve had three months prior. We hadn’t actually started rehearsals until a month before.”
Regardless of rankings and competitions, Huerta says jazz music creates opportunities for improvisation, musicality, and true showmanship.
“It’s the craziest feeling being on stage because it’s so in the moment. I don’t remember the feeling when I get off stage. I go on thinking that it’s going to be something when it turns out to be something completely different,” Huerta said. “My knees shake, my palms sweat, and I look at all the people who are staring at me and then what comes out just happens. I have no control of it whatsoever. It’s the biggest honor to be able to perform something that is so renowned.”